AMERICAN  EDUCATIONAL  BULLETIN.  No.  IV. 


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Corea 


The  Hermit  Nation 


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Copyright,  1894,  by  American  Book  Company 


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COREA. 


THE  HERMIT  NATION. 

Position  and  Extent. — Corea  is  a peninsula  projecting  from  the 
eastern  coast  of  Asia  in  a southeasterly  direction.  Its  boun- 
daries are  all  natural,  consisting  of  the  Japan  Sea  on  the  east, 
the  Yellow  Sea  on  the  west,  the  Corean  Strait  on  the  south,  and 
two  rivers  on  the  north — the  Yalu  or  Ainnok,  which  empties 
into  the  Yellow  Sea,  and  the  Tumen,  which  empties  into  the  Sea 
of  Japan.  The  northern  boundary  divides  Corea  from  Russia 
in  Asia  on  the  northeast,  and  from  the  Chinese  provinces  of 
Manchuria  and  Sliing  King  on  the  northwest.  Corea  extends 
from  north  latitude  34°  to  north  latitude  43°,  a distance  of  650 
miles.  As  compared  with  our  Atlantic  coast  line,  it  would 
extend  from  Portland,  Me.,  to  Wilmington,  X.  C.  The  average 
breadth  of  the  peninsula  is  about  150  miles,  and  the  full  coast 
line  extends  about  1,700  miles.  Its  area  is  estimated  to  be  about 
84,000  square  miles.  It  is  therefore  more  than  one-third  larger 
than  all  the  New  England  States,  or  about  the  same  size  as 
Minnesota  or  Great  Britain. 

Comparative  Area  and  Population. — If  we  compare  Corea 
with  Japan  and  China,  and  also  with  the  State  of  Minnesota,  and 
the  United  States  as  a whole,  as  a sort  of  index  or  guide,  we  will 
be  able  to  appreciate  their  relative  areas,  and  particularly  the 
great  relative  density  of  population  of  the  former  countries. 

POPULATION  PER 

AREA  IN  SQUARE  MILES.  POPULATION.  SQUARE  MILE. 


Corea 84,424  10,519,000  124 

Japan 147,629  40,072,000  271 

China  (Proper) . . 1,546,260  350,000,000  226 

Minnesota 83,365  1,301,826  16 

United  States  . . .3,668,167  62,979,766  17 


Its  Name. — The  name  Corea  is  derived  from  the  name  of  one  of 
the  three  provinces  into  which,  before  their  union,  the  penin- 


2 


COKEA. 


sula  was  divided.  The  Portuguese  transferred  this  name  to 
the  whole  country,  calling  it  Coria.  The  Chinese  form  of  this 
name  is  Kaoli,  the  Japanese  Korai.  The  native  and  official 
name  of  the  country  is  Cho-sen,  meaning  freshness  or  serenity 
of  the  morning.  From  this  it  has  received  the  appellation  of 
the  “ Land  of  the  Morning  Calm.” 

Physical  Features. — There  is  a marked  difference  between  the 
eastern  and  western  coasts.  The  eastern  coast  is  bordered  by  a 
long  mountain  ridge,  presenting  a high  and  unbroken  wall  with 
but  few  indentations  or  harbors.  The  western  coast,  which  is 
washed  by  the  Yellow  Sea  of  China,  is  shielded  by  an  archipelago 
of  islands,  between  which  are  shallow  and  tortuous  inlets,  either 
filled  or  bared  by  a tide  that  rises  from  twenty -five  to  forty 
feet,  and  which  are  frequently  frozen  over  in  winter.  The  more 
northern  of  the  islands  ai'e  low  and  flat,  while  the  southern  ones 
are  high  and  precipitous.  The  cliffs  of  many  of  these  southern 
islands  are  both  weird  and  fantastic  in  shape.  One  of  them 
resembles  in  form  the  towers  of  Windsor  Castle,  another  the 
crumbling  ruins  of  a monastery. 

The  most  prominent  physical  feature  of  Corea  is  the  moun- 
tain range,  which  constitutes  the  backbone  of  the  peninsula,  and 
extends  through  its  whole  length,  from  the  Tumen  River  to  the 
Yellow  Sea,  the  large  islands  on  the  southwest  being  but  emerg- 
ing fragments  of  the  same  range.  From  these  Corean  Apen- 
nines, numerous  ribs  or  spurs  extend  in  every  direction,  inclosing 
many  pleasant  valleys  and  river  basins  in  their  devious  wind- 
ings. Another  g'reat  mountain  chain  runs  transverselv  across 
the  peninsula,  along  the  northern  frontier,  thus,  by  a natural 
wall,  completing  the  isolation  of  Corea.  The  rivers  of  Corea, 
while  numerous,  are  comparatively  unimportant.  Five  only  are 
navigable,  viz.,  the  Yalu  in  the  north,  the  Ta-Tong  or  Pyong- 
yang, the  Han  and  its  tributary,  the  Im-jin-kang,  and  the 
Naktong.  The  longest  river  within  the  peninsula  is  the  Xak- 
tong,  which  flows  southward  between  mountain  ranges,  and 
empties  into  a bay  opening  into  the  Corean  Strait.  The  largest 
river,  and  commercially  the  most  important,  is  the  Han,  which, 
draining  nearly  the  whole  breadth  of  the  peninsula,  empties  into 
the  Yellow  Sea.  Besides  these,  eight  other  broad  streams,  after 
enriching  the  valleys  of  western  Corea,  empty  into  the  same  sea. 

Climate. — The  general  climate  of  Corea  closely  resembles  that  of 
our  North  Atlantic  coast,  the  extremes,  however,  being  more 


THE  HERMIT  NATION. 


3 


marked  and  intense.  It  is,  at  times,  very  hot  during  the  summer 
months,  the  temperature  ranging  from  96°  to  100°  in  the  shade. 
The  winters  are  severe,  the  mercury  being  often  below  zero. 
The  Tumen  River  on  the  northern  boundary  is  usually  frozen 
five  months  of  the  year,  while  in  winter  deep  snows  cover  the 
mountains.  From  the  end  of  January  until  June  it  is  spring. 
During  the  summer  months  there  are  heavy  rainfalls.  By  the 
end  of  November  winter  begins.  In  the  summer  months  dense 
fogs  prevail,  and  in  spring  and  autumn  there  is  much  mirage. 

Natural  Resources. — The  coast  hills  consist  mainly  of  trap 
rock  and  granite,  covered  witli  a reddish  clay  of  a very  light 
and  porous  nature.  The  peninsula  abounds  in  minerals,  such  as 
gold,  silver,  copper,  lead,  and  coal.  The  aspect  of  the  country 
from  the  coast  to  the  capital,  though  varied  by  hill  and  valley, 
is  bare  and  uninteresting.  This  is  largely  due  to  the  scarcity  of 
trees,  the  only  kind  that  seems  to  flourish  being  a stunted  pine 
resembling  a Scotch  fir.  The  valleys  are  fertile,  but  only  mod- 
erately cultivated.  Rice  seems  to  be  the  principal  crop ; next  to 
it  comes  millet,  then  beans  and  barley.  Large  quantities  of  red 
pepper  chilis,  castor-oil  plant,  large  white  radishes,  cabbage,  and 
some  cotton  are  grown.  Mulberry  trees  are  both  indigenous 
and  cultivated  in  Corea.  Gourds  are  trained  over  the  roofs  of 
the  lints,  and  the  lotus  flower,  tiger-lilies,  asters,  and  some  tropi- 
cal plants  are  cultivated. 

Animals. — In  the  northern  forests  tigers  of  the  largest  size  abound. 
They  are  so  common  that  the  Chinese  have  a saying : “ The 
Coreans  hunt  the  tiger  during  one  half  of  the  year,  while  the 
tiger  hunts  the  Coreans  during  the  other  half.”  The  leopard  is 
also  common.  The  deer  and  the  hog  both  run  wild.  In  the 
north,  hares,  foxes,  badgers,  wildcats,  wild  boars,  sallies,  ermines, 
and  otters  are  found  in  the  mountains.  In  the  south,  mon- 
keys are  found,  and  alligators  and  salamanders  abound  in  the 
streams.  The  breed  of  horses  is  short  and  stunted.  Cattle 
and  oxen  are  common,  but  goats  are  rarely  found.  The  most 
common  birds  are  wild  geese,  swans,  ducks,  and  the  plover, 
pheasant,  falcon,  eagle,  crane,  and  stork.  The  varieties  of 
domestic  fowls  are  chickens,  geese,  and  ducks.  All  resemble 
our  ordinary  barnyard  fowls,  except  that  the  geese  of  Chinese 
origin  have  upon  the  head,  just  above  the  bill,  a large  yellow 
knob  or  comb.  Different  varieties  of  fish  are  found  in  the 
rivers  and  along  the  coast. 


i 


COREA. 


Inhabitants. — The  Coreans  undoubtedly  belong  to  the  Mongolian 
race,  occupying  an  intermediate  stage  between  the  Mongolian 
Tartars  and  the  Japanese.  They  are  plainly  distinguishable 
from  either  the  Chinese  or  Japanese.  Their  language  is  of  the 
Turanian  family,  with  the  addition  of  many  Chinese  and  some 
Japanese  words.  From  this  arises  the  different  names  (notice- 
able on  maps  of  Corea)  applied  to  the  same  locality  or  physical 
feature,  one  being  in  Japanese,  another  in  Chinese,  and  still 
another  in  the  Corean  language.  The  Chinese  language  is  used 
by  the  upper  and  lettered  classes,  and  also  by  the  government  in 
all  official  communications.  The  population  of  Corea  is  not 
definitely  known,  no  formal  or  official  census  ever  having  been 
taken.  The  Japanese  estimate  the  population  of  Corea  at 
12,000,000  inhabitants,  but  the  best  authority*  places  the  popu- 
lation at  10,519,000. 

In  physical  appearance,  the  Coreans  resemble  the  Japanese 
more  than  the  Chinese,  though,  on  the  average,  taller  and  stouter 
than  either.  Their  dress  is  almost  uniformly  of  white  cotton 
cloth,  which  in  winter  is  well  padded.  The  outer  badge  of  the 
official  classes  is  the  hat,  which  is  of  striking  amplitude.  The 
houses  of  the  Coreans  are  usually  rude,  thatched,  mud-wattled 
structures.  They  are  generally  warmed  by  flues  running  beneath 
the  floors.  The  women’s  apartments  are  secluded  with  intense 
jealousy.  As  individuals,  they  possess  many  attractive  charac- 
teristics, the  upper  classes  being  polite,  cultivated,  and  priding 
themselves  on  correct  deportment ; while  the  lower  classes  are 
very  social  among  themselves,  vivacious  and  talkative.  In  their 
habits  they  are  neither  industrious  nor  cleanly,  and  though  sur- 
rounded by  abundant  natural  resources,  live  in  a depth  of  squalor 
unknown  in  civilized  lands. 

One  of  the  most  striking  traits  of  the  Coreans  is  their  im- 
personality. They  seem  to  have  no  very  clear  idea  of  their  own 
ego,  and  this  quality  runs  through  everything.  The  effect  is  seen 
in  their  actions,  affections,  pleasures,  business  life,  and  even  their 
language.  In  their  speech  they  have  but  recently  learned  to 
discriminate  between  the  three  persons,  and  do  so  now  only  by 
strange  circumlocutions.  To  the  original  Tartar  mind  “ I." 

* ■■  Die  Bevolkerung  tier  Erde,”  by  Wagner  and  Supen,  Gotha,  1891.  This 
authority  is  used  in  the  compilation  and  revision  of  all  tables  of  areas  and  popula- 
tions of  foreign  countries  for  Appletons’,  Barnes’s,  Eclectic,  Guyot’s,  Harper's, 
Monteith’s,  Niles’s,  and  Swinton’s  school  geographies. 


THE  HERMIT  NATION. 


5 


“you,”  and  “ he”  were  not  recognized.  Woman  in  Corea  holds 
a very  low  position  in  the  social  scale.  She  is  not  allowed 
to  have  a name  after  she  is  grown,  but  is  known  as  the 
“ daughter,”  “ sister,”  or  “ wife  ” of  this  or  that  person,  as  it 
may  be.  The  children  are  extremely  quaint  and  pretty,  espe- 
cially when  young.  Every  unmarried  person  is  treated  as  a 
child.  The  badge  of  single  or  married  life  is  the  hair  ; before 
marriage  the  youth  wears  his  hair  hanging  down  his  back  ; in 
wedlock  the  hair  is  worn  in  a knot  on  the  top  of  the  head. 

Government.  Corea  is  an  absolute  monarchy,  its  head,  the  King, 
being  in  theory,  absolute,  hereditary,  and  divine.  The  present 
King  of  Corea,  Li  Ilsi,  is  the  twenty-eighth  sovereign  of  the 
reigning  dynasty.  Theoretically,  under  the  present  dynasty, 
official  positions  are  open  to  all  who  can  pass  the  civil  service 
examinations.  This  system  has  been  borrowed  from  the  Chi- 
nese. The  government  is  carried  on  through  ministers  of  the 
home  office.  There  are  six  departments— ceremonies,  war,  civil 
affairs,  justice,  public  work,  and  finance.  Corea’s  revenue  is 
fluctuating,  and  is  paid  chiefly  in  grain.  All  transportation  and 
the  post-office  are  in  the  hands  of  the  Japanese,  while  the  tele- 
graphs are  under  the  control  of  the  Chinese,  as  well  as  the 
customs  revenue.  Some  of  the  important  offices  in  the  govern- 
ment and  army  are  held  by  Americans. 

In  the  way  of  government' Corea  needs  radical  reforms  of  all 
kinds.  The  country  is  cursed  by  a system  of  public  administra- 
tion for  which  it  would  be  difficult  to  find  a parallel.  Corrup- 
tion extends  throughout  every  branch  of  the  public  service. 
Offices  are  bought  and  sold,  and  the  collecting  of  the  revenues  is 
uiven  out  to  the  highest  bidder,  and  yet  the  public  treasuries 
are  empty.  The  people  may  be  divided  into  two  classes — the 
Vaughan , composed  of  officials  who  cannot  work  without  losing 
caste,  and  the  masses,  who  have  to  furnish  the  means  for  their 
rulers  to  live  upon,  and  are  compelled  to  practically  steal  enough 
from  their  own  earnings  to  keep  themselves.  This  misgovern- 
ment  and  oppression  is  the  dark  pall  overhanging  the  country 
and  paralyzing  the  energies  and  industries  of  the  people. 

Political  Subdivisions  and  Cities. — For  administrative  pur- 
poses, Corea  is  divided  into  eight  provinces,  viz.,  Ham-gyong, 
Kang-wan,  Ivyong-sang,  Ping-an,  Hwang-hai,  Kiong-kwi,  Chung- 
chong  and  Chol-la.  The  first  three  provinces  named  are  situated 
on  the  east  coast  fronting  the  Japan  Sea,  while  all  the  others 


0 


COREA. 


are  situated  on  the  western  slope,  and  border  on  the  Yellow  Sea. 
In  the  central  province  of  Kiong-kwi  is  located  the  Seoul  or 
capital  of  the  kingdom.  It  is  situated  about  twenty-six  miles 
inland  from  the  west  coast,  and  about  three  miles  from  the  Ilan 
River.  The  city  is  located  in  a picturesque  valley,  between  high 
hills.  On  the  south  is  a notable  height  called  Xan-san,  on  the 
summit  of  which  are  four  beacon  towers,  from  which,  by  means 
of  burning  signals,  messages  are  transmitted  to  other  similar 
towers  on  high  mountain  peaks  and  thus  to  the  most  distant 
provinces  of  the  kingdom.  Like  all  other  large  cities  of  Corea, 
it  is  walled,  and  the  gates,  eight  in  number,  are  opened  at  sun- 
rise, and  closed  at  sunset.  "Within  the  walls  of  the  city  is  a 
population  of  about  250,000.  The  houses  are  generally  rude 
mud-tliatclied  structures,  a part  of  which  is  used  as  a shop,  or 
for  business  purposes.  These  are  so  crowded  together  as  to 
narrow  the  thoroughfare  into  mere  lanes  or  alleys,  there  being 
but  three  streets  in  the  city  deserving  the  name.  The  public 
buildings  are  few  and  insignificant,  but  as  usual  in  Eastern  capi- 
tals, there  is  a large  number  of  royal  palaces  and  temples,  which 
are  surrounded  by  extensive  park-like  grounds.  The  buildings 
and  grounds  of  the  foreign  legations  are  conspicuous  features  in 
the  center  of  the  city. 

Among  the  most  important  places  in  Corea,  especially  to  for- 
eigners, are  the  three  treaty  ports  of  Fusan,  Gensan,  and  Che- 
mulpo. Fusan  is  on  the  southeast  coast,  opposite  and  within  sight 
of  the  Japan  Islands  of  Tsushima  (the  Twins).  Fusan,  being  the 
port  nearest  Japan,  has  a Japanese  population  of  over  11,000, 
and  is  the  principal  commercial  port  of  Corea.  Gensan  is  situ- 
ated on  the  eastern  coast,  midway  between  Fusan  and  the 
Russian  naval  port.  Vladivostok,  on  a remarkable  inlet,  called 
from  the  British  navigator  who  first  surveyed  it,  in  1797, 
Broughton  Bay.  Chemulpo  is  upon  the  western  coast,  at  the 
mouth  of  the  southern  branch  of  the  river  Han,  and  is  the  port 
of  the  capital.  Since  the  opening  of  these  ports  Corea  has  stipu- 
lated for  the  opening  of  another  treaty  port,  Yang-hwa-chin,  on 
the  river  Ilan,  as  a river  port  for  the  capital,  and  it  is  expected 
that  other  ports  on  the  coast  will  soon  be  opened  to  foreign 
trade  and  intercourse.  Port  Lazareff,  on  the  eastern  coast,  near 
Gensan,  has  long  been  coveted  by  the  Russians  for  a naval  port. 
Suntow,  the  ancient  capital  of  Corea,  is  an  important  commercial 
city  of  the  interior.  Pieng-yang,  in  the  north,  among  the  moun- 


THE  HERMIT  NATION. 


i 


tains,  was  also  one  of  the  ancient  capitals  of  Corea.  It  was 
here  that  the  Japanese  captured  a large  Chinese  army  and 
gained  the  first  great  victory  of  the  present  war. 

Industries  and  Productions. — Notwithstanding  Corea  has 
vast  tracts  of  virgin  land,  with  a soil  of  more  than  ordinary 
fertility,  and  an  invigorating  climate,  it  is  a poor  agricultural 
country,  though  rich  in  possibilities.  Rice,  beans,  and  barley 
are  the  principal  cereals  grown.  Corean  rice  is  highly  esteemed 
in  Japan,  and  when  its  export  is  prohibited  the  Japanese  are 
much  incensed.  Ginseng  is  one  of  the  principal  productions, 
and  is  exported  in  large  quantities  to  China.  Corea  also  sup- 
plies great  quantities  of  beef  and  fish  to  Japan.  Paper  is  the 
most  remarkable  native  manufacture.  It  is  made  from  different 
materials,  though  usually  from  the  inner  bark  of  the  mulberry 
tree.  It  is  used  in  Corea  for  almost  every  conceivable  purpose. 
After  it  has  been  soaked  in  oil  it  becomes  exceedingly  durable 
and  waterproof.  It  is  used  instead  of  carpets  on  the  floors, 
instead  of  paint  on  the  walls,  instead  of  glass  in  the  windows, 
and  instead  of  whitewash  on  the  ceilings.  Clothes,  hats,  shoes, 
umbrellas,  lanterns,  fans,  and  kites  are  made  of  it.  Houses  are 
divided  into  rooms  bv  paper  partitions;  clothes  are  kept  in 
paper  chests;  men  travel  with  paper  trunks;  children  play  with 
paper  toys.  Another  kind  of  paper  is  manufactured  from  cotton 
wool,  which  is  highly  prized  in  China  and  Japan.  When  split 
into  layers,  it  is  used  for  coat  linings,  and  when  fifteen  thick- 
nesses are  sewed  together,  it  makes  a sort  of  armor,  which  will 
resist  even  a musket-ball. 

Fish  are  taken  in  great  quantities  by  the  Japanese  on  the  east- 
ern coast,  but  the  government  derives  no  benefit  therefrom. 
The  state  reserves  to  itself  exclusive  monopoly  of  the  mines, 
which  are  worked  by  the  natives,  without  machinery  or  modern 
appliances.  Nearly  all  the  iron  that  is  used  for  agricultural  and 
domestic  purposes  is  of  native  production,  the  ore  being  taken 
from  shallow  pits  in  the  ground,  and  smelted  in  charcoal  furnaces. 
The  natives  are  skillful  metal  workers,  and  it  is  claimed  that 
from  them  the  Japanese  and  Chinese  acquired  their  fine  art  in 
working  metals,  porcelains,  and  woods,  which  now  distinguish 
those  countries.  It  is  also  claimed  that  for  many  ages  Corea 
alone  knew  the  secret  of  manufacturing  porcelain.  At  the  pres- 
ent day,  however,  the  more  useful  arts  are  in  a very  backward 
state. 


fox-murren 


'iCih-Chow 


Xiu-tcliuan 


^^(^ChonR-ju, 


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x Brou 
IjortLaza: 

Gensan  / 


or  ,,l’on  Arthur 
. e-chi-U 
maio-tao  is. 


Hwang:- ju 

hwang-ha! 


SIR  JAMES  WALL, 
GROUP 


;yong-kwc-. 

S^SEOUL 


,Shang-tong 

Promontory 


li-chow  O 


eu-chow 

I-chow 


)ng-juvy;#W 

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mvan?:Chm-j 

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Port  Hamilton 


QUELPAERT  I. 


angr.-6how 


W Nanking 

^YvTai-ping:/'  > 


tsung-ming  I. 


I ri~  e-u. 


Jl  A J 


idivostok 


OKUSJRI 


Lodate^ 


.yong-heung 


[yong-song 


\owQP 


^lorio^J 


Kubcfiffr 


■Ynmap) 


lSima 


iHiiga) 


g-heung 


MATSU  SIMA 


)^ohama 


Tottori 


rr>>*fa 


jsan  . x 

«7/J  Port  V 


Osaka 


•lljroshima 


VVafayi).^1 


LSimonofreki 


^ Kochi., 


J-'uku*jku 


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COEEA 


Mia^jiki' 


AND  PARTS  OF 


- 


C II IX  A 


fan  Diem*11 


TANEGA 

SIMA 


SCALE  OF  MILES 


Railroads 


Bradley  <f  Poates,  Engr's,  N.  Y. 


10 


COREA. 


The  total  value  of  foreign  trade  now  reaches  nearly  ten  million 
dollars  annually,  according  to  the  customs  service  statistics  at 
the  three  treaty  ports.  The  actual  trade,  however,  is  much 
greater  than  this  amount,  as  no  account  has  been  taken  of 
the  trade  at  non-treaty  ports,  or  of  that  on  the  Russian  and 
Chinese  frontiers,  or  of  the  undervaluation  of  imports.  The 
staple  exports  are  gold,  silver,  iron,  ginseng,  rice,  beans,  and 
other  cereals,  lish,  hides,  bones,  raw  silk,  cotton,  bamboo, 
paper,  furs,  tobacco,  shells,  varnishes,  oils,  etc.  As  might  be 
expected  in  a country  which  has  until  within  recent  years  rigidly 
maintained  its  character  as  the  “ Hermit  Nation,”  its  trade  and 
commerce  with  foreign  countries  is  still  in  its  infancy.  It  has 
been  hindered  by  almost  insuperable  obstacles,  as  governmental 
restrictions,  the  lack  of  communications  between  the  interior  and 
the  coast,  as  well  as  by  a debased  currency,  and  the  apathy  and 
poverty  of  the  people.  The  trade  in  the  interior  is  practically 
shared  by  the  Chinese  and  Japanese,  between  whom  there  is  the 
most  active  competition.  The  Japanese  have  the  virtual  com- 
mand of  the  maritime  and  export  trade,  over  ninety  per  cent  of 
which  is  to  their  country. 

Education. — The  Coreans  have  no  system  of  education  or  litera- 
ture worthy  of  the  name,  the  masses  being  unlearned  even  in  their 
own  tongue.  The  upper  classes  are  lettered  in  a degree,  but  even 
with  them  reading  and  writing  constitute  education.  Penman- 
ship is  an  art  much  prized,  and  is  widely  practiced  as  in  Japan. 
The  Corean  child  begins  his  education  by  learning  the  native 
alphabet  or  sci*ipt  of  twenty-live  letters,  which  was  first  promul- 
gated by  royal  decree  a.d.  1417,  and  is  still  used  by  the  lower 
orders ; and  the  Corean  syllabary,  which  gives  a phonetic  value 
to  some  two  hundred  and  fifty  Chinese  ideographs  in  common 
use,  and  which  was  invented  by  a famous  scholar  or  priest  eleven 
hundred  years  ago.  This  syllabary  is  not  analyzed,  but  com- 
mitted to  memory  from  sight  and  sound.  Spelling  is  nearly  an 
unknown  art,  as  the  vowel  changes  and  requirements  of  euphony 
are  quickly  acquired  by  ear  and  example  in  childhood.  Copies 
for  children  are  printed  from  wooden  blocks  in  a very  large  type. 
At  the  right  side  of  each  character  is  its  pronunciation  in  Corean. 
and  on  the  left  the  equivalent  Corean  word.  The  sound  is  first 
learned,  then  the  meaning,  and  finally  the  sense  of  the  passage. 
Like  nearly  all  Asiatics  they  study  aloud  at  the  top  of  their 
voices,  in  a manner  to  nearly  deafen  the  listeuer.  Most  of  their 


THE  HERMIT  NATION. 


11 


scholars  read  with  ease  the  classics  of  the  Chinese  literature, 
as  their  culture  is  based  on  Chinese  classics  and  philosophy. 
Etiquette  is  rigidly  attended  to,  but  mathematics  and  science 
receive  slight  attention. 

If  a lad  is  to  follow  ordinary  occupations,  he  usually  learns  no 
more  than  the  most  familiar  Chinese  characters  for  numbers, 
points  of  the  compass,  weights,  measures,  and  the  special  tech- 
nical terms  necessary  for  his  own  business.  If  he  belongs  to 
the  upper  classes,  and  aspires  to  government  service,  he  begins 
early  the  study  of  the  “ true  letters.”  First  he  studies  the  work 
entitled  the  “ Thousand  Character  Classics.”  In  it  no  character 
is  repeated,  and  all  the  verses  are  in  two  couplets,  making  four  to 
a clause.  Meanwhile,  the  brush-pen  is  kept  busily  employed, 
until  the  whole  text  of  the  author  is  mastered  by  ear,  pen,  and 
memory.  In  this  manner  the  other  classics  are  committed.  Pas- 
sages are  expounded  by  the  teacher,  and  the  commentaries  are 
consulted.  Essays  on  literary  themes  are  written,  and  a style 
of  elegant  composition  in  prose  and  verse  is  sti’iven  for. 

The  candidates  for  the  subordinate  offices  of  the  government 
are  examined  in  their  respective  provinces;  those  who  aspire  to 
higher  positions  take  their  diplomas  to  Seoul,  where  they  must 
pass  the  national  examinations.  The  men  who  apply  for  this 
last  examination  range  in  age  from  the  youth  to  the  gray -headed 
grandfather.  The  examinations  consist  of  essays  and  oral  and 
written  answers  to  questions.  Nominally  every  government  post 
in  Corea  is  given  by  competitive  examination.  In  reality  the 
examinations  consist  of  little  more  than  the  composition  of  an 
essay,  and  are,  as  civil  service  examinations  in  China,  a farce,  as 
the  posts  are  given  to  those  who  pay  for  them,  the  prices  being 
as  a general  rule  matters  of  previous  arrangement  and  knowl- 
edge. 

‘ligion. — Spirit-worship  and  Confucianism  are  the  basis  of  the 
faith  of  the  Coreans.  They  worship  the  invisible  powers  of  the 
air,  the  spirits  of  earth  and  heaven  ; they  believe  in  genii  of  hills, 
rivers,  and  caves,  and  especially  reverence  the  morning  star. 
The  breezes  are  thought  to  be  the  “ breath  of  spirits,”  and  a 
tempest  is  a ki  devil  wind  ” raised  bv  a demon  for  mischief. 

Many  centuries  ago  Buddhism  was  the  faith  and  popular  cult 
in  Corea  ; but  it  has  been  long  since  overthrown  and  displaced, 
except  in  remote  mountain  districts  where  old  Buddhist  monas- 
teries are  still  found,  and  a few  monks  perform  their  mechanical 


12 


COREA. 


devotions  before  gilded  images  of  Buddha,  in  which  they  them- 
selves, in  common  with  their  countrymen,  have  long  ceased  to 
believe.  IS’o  Buddhist  monks  are  now  allowed  inside  the  cities, 
a prohibition  which  is  said  to  have  originated  in  the  Japanese 
invasion  three  hundred  years  ago,  when  the  invaders  crept  into 
some  of  the  towns  in  monastic  disguise.  Among  the  upper 
classes  the  only  form  of  religion  is  ancestor  worship,  developed 
by  familiarity  with  Confucianism,  and  by  long  connection  with 
the  Chinese.  A man  of  the  ruling  class  has  no  higher  ambi- 
tion than  to  leave  male  descendants  who  may  worship  his  manes, 
and  offer  sacrifices  at  his  grave.  Besides  these  oriental  faiths, 
there  exist  no  general  religions  forms  or  beliefs  among  the  masses, 
save  that  of  spirits  and  the  invisible  forces  of  nature,  which  they 
ignorantly  worship ; and  it  has  become  literally  true  as  the  old 
Dutch  navigator  put  it : “ As  for  religion,  the  Coresians  have 
scarcely  any.” 

The  history  of  Christianity  in  Corea  is  remarkable  and  even 
marvelous.  It  has  been  introduced  twice  in  that  country,  first 
about  the  close  of  the  sixteenth,  and  the  second  time  near  the 
close  of  the  eighteenth  century.  Its  first  teachers  and  converts 
in  Corea  were  utterly  exterminated,  but  Christianity  was  again 
re-introduced  in  a most  remarkable  manner.  Some  Chinese 
religious  tracts  had  been  brought  from  Peking,  among  which 
were  some  expositions  of  the  Christian  religion  by  French  Cath- 
olic missionaries,  who  had  established  stations  in  China.  A 
number  of  Corean  students  being  engaged  in  a critical  study 
of  the  text  of  Confucius  found  these  tracts.  One  of  their  num- 
ber espoused  the  Christian  faith,  and  became  a prominent 
teacher  of  it^s  doctrines.  lie  was  soon  joined  by  friends,  and 
in  this  singular  way  Christianity  was  again  planted  in  Corea. 
Afterwards,  missionaries  went  from  China  to  Corea,  where  they 
have  ever  since  labored,  encountering  at  times  much  opposition 
and  persecution,  it  being  estimated  that  between  1861  and  1870, 
eight  thousand  native  Christians  sealed  their  faith  with  their 
lives.  Within  a more  recent  period,  British  and  American 
Protestant  missions  and  schools  have  been  established,  and 
Corea  bids  fair  to  become  one  of  the  chosen  missionary  fields  of 
reformed  Christianity. 

History. — Corea  claims  an  historical  antiquity  contemporaneous 
with  that  of  Egypt,  Assyria,  and  Chaldea,  but  there  are  no 
records,  monuments,  or  ruins,  to  mark  its  early  history,  which 


TIIE  HERMIT  NATION. 


13 


is  enveloped  in  mystery  and  is  largely  traditional.  The 
Coreans  claim  as  their  first  king,  Ki  Tsze,  who  came  with  his 
followers  from  China  more  than  a thousand  years  before  the 
Christian  era,  conquered  the  aborigines,  and  founded  a kingdom, 
which  they  named  Cho-sen.  Ilis  descendants  for  forty-one 
generations  ruled  the  country,  when  their  kingdom  was  over- 
thrown by  the  Chinese  and  Manchurians. 

From  the  Christian  era  until  the  tenth  century,  the  country 
was  divided  into  three  kingdoms,  named  respectively,  Kokorai, 
Hiaksai,  and  Shinra.  The  history  of  these  kingdoms  is  that  of 
almost  continuous  Avars  among  themselves,  and  with  China  and 
Japan.  Like  England,  Scotland,  and  Wales,  these  three  Corean 
kingdoms  were  distinct  in  origin,  were  conquered  by  a race  from 
without,  struggled  in  rivalry  for  centuries,  and  were  finally 
united  in  one  nation.  This  unification  was  accomplished  by 
Wang-ken,  who  conquered  the  entire  peninsula,  united  all  the 
parts  in  one  kingdom  and  restored  the  ancient  name  of  Cho-sen. 
The  Wang  dynasty  lasted  for  thirty-two  kings,  who  were  mostly 
both  cruel  and  arbitrary. 

Near  the  close  of  the  fourteenth  century,  a rebellion  arose, 
and  a leader  was  found  in  Ni  Taijo,  a soldier  of  fortune.  The 
rebellion  was  successful,  and  Ni  Taijo,  under  the  patronage  of 
the  Ming  dynasty,  raised  himself  to  the  Corean  throne  and  estab- 
lished a court  and  capital  at  Seoul,  which  has  ever  since  been 
maintained.  Taijo  divided  the  country  into  eight  provinces. 
These  civil  divisions  still  continue,  and  are  shown  on  the  map. 

This  outline  of  Corean  history  covers  a period  of  nearly  three 
thousand  years,  marked  throughout  by  ever-recurring  invasions, 
rebellions,  and  changes  of  dynasties  and  kingdoms,  too  numer- 
ous to  mention  or  describe.  The  principal  events  of  Corea’s 
modern  history  are  connected  with  invasions  of  her  territory  by 
the  Chinese  and  Japanese,  and  her  constant  efforts  to  maintain 
her  own  autonomy  and  sovereignty  against  both.  The  Japanese 
invaded  Corea  in  1592  and  again  in  1598.  The  invading  army 
employed  firearms  as  weapons,  which  were  then  used  for 
the  first  time  by  them,  and  were  unknown  to  the  Coreans. 
After  six  years  of  war,  in  which  the  peninsula  was  desolated 
from  end  to  end,  China  came  to  the  assistance  of  Corea, 
the  Japanese  retired,  and  peace  was  restored.  When  the 
Manchurian  Tartars  invaded  China,  they  devastated  and  sub- 
dued Corea  on  their  way.  The  native  Ming  dynasty  of 


14 


COREA. 


China,  to  which  Corea  had  always  been  warmly  attached,  was 
overthrown  in  1628,  and  the  Tartar  or  Manchu  dynasty  was 
established  in  China,  where  it  still  continues  to  reign.  From 
the  time  of  the  Manchu  invasion  to  the  present,  Corea  has  been 
more  or  less  subject  to  China.  Though  Corea  has  always 
claimed  to  be  an  independent  nation  and  has  been  ruled  by  her 
own  monarchs  for  centuries,  there  has  scarcely  been  a time  since 
the  commencement  of  the  Christian  era  when  it  has  not  acknowl- 
edged a greater  or  less  dependence  upon  either  China  or  Japan. 
The  claims  of  Japan  were  earliest  in  origin,  and  have  been  exer- 
cised over  a longer  period  of  time.  From  the  third  down  to  the 
end  of  the  fourteenth  century  the  relations  between  the  two 
countries  have  been,  as  a rule,  those  of  Japanese  ascendancy 
and  Corean  allegiance.  The  ascendancy  of  China  in  Corea  prac- 
tically dates  from  the  foundation  of  the  present  reigning  dynasty, 
and  is  largely  due  to  common  relations,  customs,  and  religion, 
as  well  as  territorial  connection. 

The  most  striking  fact  manifested  in  the  past  history  of 
Corea  is  the  national  policy  of  almost  complete  isolation  and 
non-intercourse  with  other  nations  of  the  world.  In  this  indispo- 
sition to  intercourse  with  other  countries,  the  Coreans  have  been 
greatly  assisted  by  the  physical  environment  of  their  country, 
surrounded  as  it  is  on  three  sides  by  ocean  waters,  with  but  few 
safe  landings  or  harbors,  and  separated  from  the  Asiatic  conti- 
nent by  an  inhospitable  mountain  barrier.  Xot withstanding  the 
national  policy  of  this  seagirt  and  hermit  nation  has  for  ages 
steadily  resisted  the  rising  tide  of  progress  and  civilization,  she  has 
at  last  been  compelled  to  open  her  gates,  both  by  sea  and  land,  to 
social,  commercial,  and  political  intercourse  with  other  nations 
and  peoples.  This  great  revolution  in  the  customs  of  the  people 
and  the  policy  of  the  government  has  only  been  inaugurated 
within  a recent  period.  It  is  only  eighteen  years  since  the  first 
foreign  treaty  was  made  by  Corea,  as  an  independent  sovereignty, 
with  any  foreign  power.  Just  as  our  own  country  sent  a mission 
under  Commodore  Perry  in  1854  to  Japan  and  negotiated  a 
treaty  by  which  she  opened  her  ports  and  country  to  the  world, 
so  Japan  sent  a mission  to  Corea  in  1876,  and,  following  the 
exact  methods  of  procedure  as  Commodore  Perry  in  his  negotia- 
tions with  their  own  country,  they  secured  a treaty  of  peace  and 
commerce  with  Corea  by  which  certain  ports  were  opened  to 
Japanese  trade.  The  first  article  of  this  first  treaty  with  any 


THE  HERMIT  NATION. 


15 


foreign  nation  is  the  keynote  of  a new  governmental  policy  by 
Corea:  “ Cho-sen,  being  an  independent  state,  enjoys  the  same 
sovereign  rights  as  does  Japan.” 

The  present  war  between  China  and  Japan  is  another  illustra- 
tion of  history  repeating  itself.  Corea  has  again  become  the 
bone  of  contention  and  cause  of  war  between  those  ancient 
nations.  As  Corea  lias  been  the  roadway  through  which  China 
and  Japan  have  passed  to  attack  each  other  in  the  past,  so  her 
territory  has  again  become  the  field  of  invasion  and  conflict. 
The  immediate  causes  of  the  present  war  are  the  rival  claims  of 
China  and  Japan  to  the  suzerainty  of  Corea.  Within  the  past 
fifteen  years,  China  has  bv  turns  disclaimed  all  authority  over 
Corea,  and  reasserted  her  ancient  claim  that  Corea  was  a tribu- 
tary Chinese  province.  In  the  Tien-Tsin  convention  of  1885 
between  China  and  Japan,  there  was  a distinct  disavowal  on 
the  part  of  China  of  any  suzerain  rights  over  Corea,  and  a 
mutual  agreement  by  both  countries  that  neither  would  inter- 
fere by  force  of  arms  in  the  internal  affairs  of  Corea  without 
notifying  the  other.  Early  in  1891  an  insurrection  broke  out 
in  Corea  which  its  government  was  not  able  to  suppress.  China 
sent  a body  of  troops  to  Corea  without  giving  any  notice  to 
Japan  of  her  intention  or  purposes.  The  Japanese  govern- 
ment objected  to  this,  and  at  the  same  time  made  a proposal 
for  united  action,  with  the  object  of  effecting  thorough  reforms 
in  Corea,  saying : 

“On  account  of  its  geographical  situation,  the  ever-increasing  disorders  in  the 
Corean  kingdom  materially  affect  the  vital  interests  of  both  China  and  Japan, 
and  threaten  to  create  a dangerous  crisis;  therefore,  Japan  proposes,  in  concert 
with  China,  to  persuade  Corea  to  introduce  thorough  reforms  in  her  internal 
government,  so  that  all  danger  of  future  disorders  may  be  avoided ; and,  in  thus 
acting,  Japan’s  object  is  purely  to  promote  the  independence  of  Corea  and  main- 
tain peace  in  the  East.” 

China  claims  that  the  present  war  was  brought  about  by  the 
aggressiveness  of  Japan  in  forcing  radical  reforms  in  Corea,  for 
which  that  country  was  not  prepared,  and  to  which  China  as  its 
suzerain  objected.  On  the  other  hand,  Japan  claims  that  all  her 
relations  toward  Corea  are  friendly,  and  that  her  primary  object 
in  the  present  war  is  not  to  fight  Corea  or  even  China,  but  to 
secure  the  independence  and  development  of  Corea,  and  main- 
tain her  territory  intact  against  the  encroachments  of  Russia, 
China,  or  any  other  country. 


1G 


COREA. 


As  the  occurrences  of  the  present  war  are  familiar  to  every 
reader  of  the  newspapers,  it  is  not  necessary  to  repeat  or  describe 
them  here.  Every  observer  of  the  important  events  now  occur- 
ring in  the  far  East,  affecting,  as  they  necessarily  must,  the 
physical  and  moral  interests  of  great  empires  and  vast  popula- 
tions, will  be  deeply  interested  in  the  far-reaching  results  of 
this  war,  and  will  sincerely  join  the  friends  of  human  progress 
and  liberty  in  sympathy  and  hope  that  the  little  kingdom  in 
“ the  Land  of  the  Morning  Radiance  ” may  become  more  firmly 
established  among  the  nations  of  the  earth,  and  that  her  people, 
now  struggling  into  light,  may  enter  upon  a new  era  of  national 
progress  and  development. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

Articles  on  Corea  in  British  and  American  Government  Reports. 

Annual  Reports  and  Returns  on  the  Trade  in  Foreign  Vessels.  Shanghai,  1892. 

Cavendish,  A.  E.  .T.  Korea  and  the  Sacred  White  Mountain,  being  a Brief  Account 
of  a Journey  in  Korea  in  1891.  London,  1894. 

Campbell,  C.  W.  Report  of  a Journey  in  North  Corea,  English  Government 
Report,  China,  No.  2,  1891. 

Carles,  W.  It.  Life  in  Corea.  London,  1888. 

Chautauqua  Text-books,  No.  34.  Asiatic  History  : China,  Corea,  Japan.  lGmo,  pp. 
80.  New  York,  1881. 

Cho-sen  Jijo.  A Short  Account  of  Corea  : Its  History,  Productions,  etc.  2 vols. 
Tokio,  1875. 

Corea,  the  Hermit  Nation.  In  Bulletin  of  the  American  Geographical  Society,  New 
York,  1881. 

“ Corean  Origin  of  Japanese  Art,”  Century  Magazine,  December,  1882. 

Cowan,  Frank,  M.l).  “ A Private  Trip  in  Corea,”  The  Japan  Mail,  1880. 

Curzon,  Hon.  G.  Problems  of  the  Far  East.  Japan,  Korea,  China.  1 vol.,  pp.  441. 
London,  1894. 

Dallet.  Histoire  de  l’Eglise  de  Coree.  Paris,  1874. 

Griffis,  W.  E.  Corea,  the  Hermit  Nation.  London  and  New  York,  1882. 

Hall,  J.  C.  A Visit  to  Corea  in  1882.  In  Proceedings  of  Royal  Geographical  So- 
ciety, 1883. 

Howorth,  Henry.  History  of  the  Mongols.  3 vols.,  pp.  1827.  London,  1876. 

Lowell.  Percival.  Chosfin,  the  Land  of  the  Morning  Calm.  A Sketch  of  Corea. 
Boston,  1886. 

Oppert,  Ernest.  Corea:  A Forbidden  Land.  1 vol.,  pp.  349.  Illustrations,  charts, 
etc.  New  York,  1880. 

Ross,  Rev.  J.  Corea  : Its  History,  Manners,  and  Customs.  1 vol.,  pp.  404.  Illus- 
trations and  maps.  Paisley,  1880. 

Scott,  James.  A Corean  Manual.  Second  edition.  London,  1892. 

Shortland,  Canon.  The  Corean  Martyrs.  1 vol.,  pp.  115.  London.  Compiled  from 
the  letters  of  the  French  missionaries. 

Underwood,  II.  Concise  Dictionary  of  the  Corean  Language.  Shanghai,  1890. 

Underwood,  H.  Grammar  of  Corean  Language.  Shanghai. 


STANDARD  SCHOOL  GEOGRAPH  I ES-Continued. 


Harper’s  Geographies. 

Harper’s  Introductory  Geography.  115  pages  ....  48  cents 
Harper’s  School  Geography.  128  pages $1.08 

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ale  of  each  country  to  their  “physical  environment”  are  clearly  shown.  The 
s are  the  result  of  the  best  professional  skill  and  experience,  and  embody  the 
true  spirit  of  reform  in  geographical  teaching.  The  definitions  are  uniformly  clear 
and  concise,  and  the  statements  are  accurate  and  terse. 

The  maps  and  illustrations,  prepared  expressly  for  this  work  by  eminent  American 
artists  and  cartographers,  are  correct  representations  of  countries  and  conditions  as 
they  exist  to-day. 

Niles’s  Geographies. 


Elementary  Geography.  88  pages 44  cents 

Advanced  Geography.  134  pages $1.00 


A logical  and  natural  series,  with  many  interesting  details  and  numerous  maps 
and  illustrations.  The  Elementary  book  consists  primarily  of  reading  lessons.  Pupils 
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valuable  discussion  of  physical  features. 

Swinton’s  Geographies. 


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This  series  is  complete  in  two  books,  which  contain  ample  material  for  teaching 
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books  are  clear  in  style  and  logical  in  arrangement.  The  maps  are  excellent,  being 
distinct  and  accurate,  and  constantly  kept  abreast  of  the  times.  The  illustrations  are 
beautiful,  apt,  and  instructive,  and  add  much  to  the  value  of  the  books  for  class  use. 
Among  other  special  features  are  the  following:  the  language  is  clear  and  brief,  yet 
full  enough;  the  plant  and  animal  life  of  the  grand  divisions  are  admirably  repre- 
sented ; the  topical  synopses,  commercial  maps,  and  statistical  tables  are  very  valuable. 

Special  State  Editions. 

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canals,  political  organization,  chief  cities,  educational  facilities,  and 
history  of  the  State. 

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For  list  of  Physical  Geographies  see  fourth  cover  page. 


< 


Physical  Geography. 

Appletons’  Physical  Geography. 

By  John  D.  Quackenbos,  John  S.  Newberry,  Charles  H.  Hitchcock,  W. 
Le  Conte  Stevens,  Wm.  H.  Dall,  Henry  Gannett,  C.  Hart  Merriam, 
Nathaniel  L.  Britton,  George  F.  Kunz  and  Lieut.  Geo.  M.  Stoney.  Cloth, 

4to.  140  pages $1.60 

This  work  has  been  prepared  on  a new  and  original  plan.  It  is  richly  illustrated 
with  engravings,  diagrams,  and  maps  in  color,  and  includes  a separate' chapter  on 
the  geological  history  and  the  physical  features  of  the  United  States. 

In  the  preparation  of  this  book  there  has  been  enlisted  a corps  of  scientific  special- 
ists recognized  as  authorities  in  their  respective  departments  of  science.  The  aim  has 
been  to  supply  the  useful  elements  in  an  inviting  form,  to  popularize  the  studv  of 
physical  geography  by  furnishing  a complete,  attractive,  carefully  condensed  text- 
book. The  development  of  the  subject  is  clear  and  logical,  and  the  scope  of  the  work 
comprehensive. 

The  illustrations  are  based  on  original  paintings,  photographs,  and  sketches,  made 
both  in  this  country  and  in  Europe  by  specially  qualified  designers.  The  maps  have 
been  constructed  under  the  immediate  supervision  of  the  special  authors,  and  embody 
the  latest  and  most  accurate  information. 

Eclectic  Physical  Geography. 

By  Russell  Hinman.  Clo^h,  12mo.  382  pages,  with  30  charts  and  maps,  and 

150  diagrams  and  other  illustrations $ 1 ,oo 

This  book  differs  widely  from  physical  geographies  in  common  use,  in  many 
important  particulars.  It  is  unique  in  form  and  in  the  character  and  treatment  of 
the  subject-matter.  It  assumes  no  scientific  knowledge  on  the  part  of  the  pupil.  The 
order  of  treatment  is  natural  and  logical ; for  example,  the  enveloping  atmosphere  is 
discussed  before  the  sea,  because  its  action  is  the  cause  of  most  marine  phenomena. 
For  similar  reasons,  the  treatment  of  the  land  follows  that  of  the  sea  and  precedes 
that  of  climate.  The  constant  aim  is  to  trace  to  proximate  causes  common  and 
familiar  phenomena.  The  charts  are  distinct  and  graphically  accurate,  having  been 
verified  by  comparison  with  the  latest  official  maps,  charts,  etc.,  of  the  governments 
of  the  United  States,  England  and  Germany.  Each  chart  contains  but  a single  set 
of  physical  features.  Its  size,  12mo,  makes  it  the  most  convenient,  most  durable,  and 
the  cheapest  book  on  the  subject  in  the  market.  The  scientific  accuracy  of  the  book 
is  attested  by  eminent  specialists  in  various  departments  of  science. 

Guyot’s  Physical  Geography.  Revised  Edition. 

By  Arnold  Guyot.  Cloth,  4to.  124  pages $1.60 

The  aim  of  this  book  has  been  to  furnish  pupils  of  higher  grades  with  a general 
outline  of  Physical  Geography  sufficiently  full  to  give  the  amount  of  information  they 
may  be  expected  to  acquire,  yet  simple  and  concise  enough  to  enable  them  to  obtain 
this  knowledge  in  the  limited  time  allowed  to  the  study  without  sacrificing  the  general 
character  of  the  science. 

The  text  covers  every  branch  of  Physical  Geography ; it  is  philosophical  in  method, 
accurate  in  statement,  and  attractive  in  style. 

Monteith’s  New  Physical  Geography. 

By  James  Monteith.  Cloth,  4to.  144  pages $1.00 

This  book  contains  an  elementary  but  comprehensive  course  in  Physiog- 
raphy, Geology,  Natural  History,  Mineralogy,  Meteorology,  etc.  The  maps  and 
charts  have  been  compiled  from  original  sources,  and  comprise  the  latest  discoveries 
pertaining  to  geographical  science.  While  the  easy  style,  graphic  description,  and 
topical  arrangement  of  subjects  adapt  it  specially  for  use  in  grammar  schools,  it  will 
be  found  equally  valuable  for  use  in  high  and  normal  schools.  Concluding  each 
chapter  is  a brief  summary  of  the  main  facts  presented  therein. 

Copies  of  the  above  books  will  be  sent,  prepaid,  to  any  address  on  receipt  of  price. 
Correspondence  with  reference  to  introductory  supplies  is  cordially  invited, 

American  Book  Company 

New  York  ♦ Cincinnati  ♦ Chicago  ♦ Boston  ♦ Atlanta  ♦ Portland,  Ore. 


